Grant spurs local large-scale cancer study

Hamilton Spectator

A Hamilton specialist will use a new $1.2-million grant to test the effectiveness of different radiation treatments on inoperable lung cancer.

Dr. Anand Swaminath, a radiation oncologist at the Juravinski Cancer Centre, will lead a clinical trial comparing conventional treatment against the precision delivery of high doses of radiation in fewer treatments.

The Canadian Cancer Society grant, one of 11 announced across the country, will allow for the first large-scale clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of the different treatments in shrinking tumours, differences in side effects and overall survival.

In a statement, Swaminath said if the advanced “stereotactic” radiation is found to be more effective, it could become the lower-cost “standard of care” for hard-to-treat, early stage lung cancer.